Monday

Stephen Fry: Gadget Man8.30pm, Channel 4

While last year's rundown of Fry's top 100 gadgets had as much room for apple peelers as Apple iPhones, this new series focuses on gizmos aiming to shape the world of tomorrow. First up, a look at how technology can help tackle the drudgery of the daily commute, from gadgets ending public transport tedium to new types of tiny electric vehicles designed to whisk you to work as briskly (and cheaply) as possible. Plus, of course, the odd futuristic folly, such as a contraption best described as a Penny Farthing Nano. Or "Lawsuit In Waiting". Mark Jones

Four Born Every Second10.35pm, BBC1

Astonishing documentary from Bafta-winning director Brian Hill examining how where you live in the world will determine where you stand in the lottery of childbirth. Travelling between the UK, the US, Cambodia and Sierra Leone, the systems of care could scarcely be more different. The problems faced by Starr, the pregnant mother of a homeless family in San Francisco, echo those of Neang in Cambodia, whose children have to scavenge to survive, while in Sierra Leone one in eight women will die in childbirth. Ben Arnold

Rory Peck Awards 201211.20pm, Channel 4

The Rory Peck Awards, founded in 1995 in honour of the Northern Irish cameraman who died covering the siege of Moscow's parliament building in 1993, celebrate the undersung grunts of news-gathering: the freelance camera operators who take extraordinary risks to shoot frontline reportage. This series profiles this year's nominees: first up, British-Egyptian film-maker May Abdalla, whose Children Of The Revolution chronicled the hopes and disappointments of the youth who thronged Tahrir Square in 2011. Andrew Mueller

I Want To Change My Body9pm, BBC3

A programme to view when you're having a good hair day, I Want To Change My Body follows a group of body-conscious young adults as they embark on surgeries both slight and significant, from laser hair removal to boob and nose jobs. While one subject jets off to the Czech Republic for a gastric band, another blithely compares nose surgery to getting hair extensions. With young Brits increasingly willing to load on debt for surgical procedures, the show gets under the skin of the body confidence crisis Britain is facing. AC

Calf's Head And Coffee: The Golden Age Of English Food9pm, BBC4

A little more than three centuries ago, argues 'gastronaut' Stefan Gates, English cuisine enjoyed a renaissance. In part, that's because trade led to new flavours reaching our shores, yet there's also a sense that Restoration-era grub was admirably confident and playful. Adventures in foody archaeology demonstrate the latter point. In this context, witnessing the preparation of calf's head surprise – "It's theatre on a plate!" – is not for the squeamish. However, it's the flavours that really fascinate Gates. Parmesan ice-cream, we learn, is "a proper Marmite dish" in the way it divides diners. Jonathan Wright

Girls10pm, Sky Atlantic

More horrifying sex tonight as Hannah goes home to visit her parents while they're celebrating their anniversary – and boy are they celebrating. Meanwhile, she meets a nice new man at the pharmacy counter but neglects to tell her folks that she's now unemployed lest they're disappointed in her. So horrific and unflinching at points that you'll need to bite down on something but still absolutely worth it. Lena Dunham's huge intelligence combined with a totally absent shame filter is really something. Julia Raeside

Tuesday

Last Tango In Halifax9pm, BBC1

New dramedy that follows widower Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi), who – after spending 60 years wondering just what happened to one-time teenage crush Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) – suddenly bumps into her on Facebook. Soon they're flirting clumsily like inept teens. Aside from the septuagenarian Sense and Sensibility, plenty is going on in the love lives of respective daughters Gillian and Caroline, suggesting dark secrets yet to be uncovered beyond this engaging opener. MJ

Fresh Meat9pm, Channel 4

Glory of glories, we finally get to hear Kingsley's music tonight, as his girlfriend pressures him into trying out an open-mic night. Unfortunately, his sub-Radiohead stylings are undermined by a strange thing he insists on doing with his neck. Meanwhile, Oregon reveals a surprisingly tuneful aptitude and Kingsley invites her to join forces with him, despite her singer-songwritery warblings being at odds with his own morose style. Elsewhere, Josie keeps up the pretence of going to her seminars each day, though on-street sightings of her lead the house to the wrong conclusion. David Stubbs

Imagine: The Many Lives Of William Klein10:35pm, BBC1

"He's a man forever living in the moment," says Alan Yentob of octogenarian American photographer William Klein. It's in part his ability to get in amongst people that makes Klein's street photography (a form he pioneered) so memorable, yet he's also a hugely influential fashion snapper and made more than 20 films, including a brilliant study of Muhammad Ali. Tying in with a Tate Modern show, a documentary that basks in Klein's charismatic presence; no bad thing as it happens. JW

Transsexual Teen, Beauty Queen9pm, BBC3

When Jackie Green was born, she had "a little birth defect" as she calls it, "like a mole, that needed to be fixed". Jackie was born Jack, but that didn't last long. At four, she gravely informed her mum, "God's made a mistake". At 16, she was the youngest person ever to have a sex change. And now, at 18, she's hoping to be the first ever transsexual to become Miss England, battling it out with 50 other girls to make the semi-finals. Forthright, affecting and, despite initial appearances, decidedly non-exploitative. Ali Catterall

Some Girls10pm, BBC3

That classic tale of an evening's babysitting fraught with mishaps gets an update, with Viva's mates keeping her company while she looks after a gravel-voiced devil child. Their night doubles as an end-of-Brandon party that Viva's arranged to help Amber get over her ex, and when a bottle of red wine and a sex toy are involved it can only end in disaster. Viva's not the only one with problems: her dad (Colin Salmon) is getting booty texts from a mystery admirer, Saz is being bullied by a group of bitchy girls, and Holli's worrying that the booze might run out. Hannah Verdier

American Horror Story: Asylum10pm, FX

As if there wasn't enough going on in this spooky booby-hatch, they go and drag the Holocaust into it. A new inmate (played by Franka Potente, adding to an already great cast) arrives after causing a ruck with some antisemites in a bar. It turns out she's a Holocaust survivor. Not just any, mind – she's the most famous non-survivor, Anne Frank, and it's payback time. Quite where they're going with this remains to be seen – it's the first of a two-parter – but for an opening salvo it's a winner. We also learn more of Briarcliff's dark past while Lana is subjected to some harrowing aversion therapy. Phelim O'Neill

Wednesday

Supersized Earth8pm, BBC1

At one time Lincoln Cathedral was the highest building on the planet, which is ace when you consider the glass-clad needles we stuff into the sky these days. In the middle ages it topped the Great Pyramid in Egypt as the highest man-made thing, a record held for 4,000 years. Things have been getting out of hand, height-wise, ever since, so Bang Goes The Theory's Dallas Campbell embarks on an exploratory trip around the world from the Sears Tower to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the current highest building. If you don't have vertigo, this could quite easily bring it on. BA

The Hour9pm, BBC2

"Must you?" says Marnie to hubby Hector as he pours himself a drink prior to guests arriving at a gathering for their friends. As things pan out, Hector's boozing is a small problem in comparison to the charming man-child being arrested on suspicion of beating up showgirl Kiki. Elsewhere, young fascists bring racism close to home for Freddie. A strangely paced episode that seems to have several endings, but compelling throughout – prescient even, with its wider theme of newsroom-centred controversy. JW

Secret State10pm, Channel 4

This captivating update of Chris Mullin's A Very British Coup rumbles on. Just when all seemed to be going so well, it transpires PM Tom Dawkins (Gabriel Byrne) was right not to unfurl the Mission Accomplished banner in the aftermath of the Afghan border drone strike. Dawkins's indecision when ordering the strike leads to sabre-rattling by the Iranians, though that doesn't dampen his desire to use gamesmanship when it comes to the Petrofex cohorts. Meanwhile, tenacious hack Ellis and sozzled ex-spook Fossett uncover more dirt than a JCB hopped up on espresso. MJ

Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner9pm, BBC4

As Clarissa Dickson Wright has neatly demonstrated in this short historical series, our relationship with food isn't quite what it once was. This has its good points: monks no longer have to choke down some grim fish thing for their 4am breakfast. Equally, we don't these days allow ourselves the civilised pause for food and thought that was the hour-long lunch break. This final episode considers the social and formal gravity now applied to the last meal of the day – while the inestimable CDW ends the series with her conclusions about the way we eat (and consequently live) now. John Robinson

Getting On10pm, BBC4

Tilda Swinton and her real-life partner Sandro Kopp cameo tonight; he plays art teacher Dylan Shwarz while she's his mute assistant Elke. "All human interaction is social sculpture," Shwarz tells his band of schoolkids, who must make artworks based on tales the patients tell them. "Well, they're all doolally, deaf or asleep, so good luck to you," retorts Den – who's in for a surprise later. Last in the sublime series, and therefore the last time Richard Hawley croons that lovely song over the credits – at least for now. AJC

Bradley Wiggins: A Year In Yellow10pm, Sky Atlantic

Filmed prior to his recent bone-breaking collision, John Dower's excellent, revealing documentary follows Wiggins in the runup to his triumph at the 2012 Tour De France. While the footage is enthralling enough, what's most fascinating is the insight afforded into the co-operative but enigmatic Wiggins himself, with those around him forthright and candid in their take on the man and his hell-and-high-water determination to succeed. One suspects much of his drive comes from his estrangement from his late father. DS

Thursday

Hunted9pm, BBC1

Melissa George as Sam Hunter in Hunted. Photograph: Giles Keyte/BBC/Kudos

It's Hunted's finale – time for some answers. Well, sort of; they're mostly posed in the form of yet more questions. The jig is up on Sam's secret identity in the Turner house; now they're slowly poisoning her, meaning she's forced to sit out most of the action. While Sam feverishly tosses and turns in bed, the dam deal reaches its endgame and matters become even more suspenseful. This has been a curious show – a British thriller in American clothes; going by the ending, it's far from over. PO'N

The Aristocrats: Blenheim Palace9pm, Channel 4

Blenheim Palace is a beautiful place but also an expensive one. Bestowed as a gift by the royal family in the 18th century, the owners have been paying for it ever since. The current duke was the man who balanced the books by inviting in the tourists. His son, Jamie Blandford, is the one whose drug problems threatened to unbalance them again. Here we join a sober Jamie and his upstanding father as they allow the cameras in. Both are genial company – although Jamie can't hide the fact that he is a fiftysomething man of tremendous wealth and privilege, but ultimately no account. JR

Living With My Stalker10pm, Channel 4

Channel 4 has a way with titles that bring to mind potboiler novels with lurid covers, but often the content isn't as lewd as you're led to believe. In this case, the title might be an understatement: this story about a stalker is as extreme as it gets. In 2010, Alison Hewitt met Al Amin Dhalla through a dating agency. She was led to believe that he was a Canadian businessman. In fact, his life story was a lie and, after she finished with him, Dhalla tracked down Hewitt and her family, built a mobile torture chamber and hired a hit man … Martin Skegg

Flintoff: From Lord's To The Ring9pm, Sky1

The concept behind the excruciating title is that retired cricket titan Andrew Flintoff has decided to try his luck as a boxer. Under the tutelage of former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, he will give himself six months to ready himself to fight as a fully licensed heavyweight. In the first of two episodes chronicling the buildup, his friends are sceptical. Michael Vaughan notes that boxing involves "nutrition, training, early starts – everything Freddie Flintoff doesn't do". What Flintoff does do, however, is remain as hopelessly likable as ever: only a hard heart would wish him ill. Andrew Mueller

Southland10pm, More4

After a frantic series opener, things calm down this week, though there's the usual level of craziness on the Southland streets – a naked man out for a run, another on fire on the pavement. There's a new captain with a stern attitude, but who soon proves himself to be a bad-ass in a crisis. Elsewhere, Sherman is in hot water after being videoed punching a young woman who spat in his face, and Detective Adams investigates the killing of a snitch, though her partner, Robinson, has qualms against pursuing the case. MS

Falcon10pm, Sky Atlantic

"You're a good man, Javier Falcon," says comely widow Consuela Jimenez in a way that says she wants him to be bad. Everyone in this Spanish drama addresses everyone else by both names like they're in a Lorca play. Falcon drinks on duty, shags suspects and is tortured by his past. Standard detective fare but there's something hypnotic about this show. Possibly Marton Csokas's penetrating eyes. Tonight, realising the killer is taunting him with his father's paintings, Falcon runs to the aid of his friend. Will the murderer outwit him again? JNR

Friday

Attenborough: 60 Years In The Wild9pm, BBC2

Continuing Sir David's journey through his own greatest hits collection: Life On Earth, The Living Planet et al. Here, he explores groundbreaking scientific discoveries that occurred during his lifetime – along with some distinctly eccentric-sounding scientists, such as biologist Konrad Lorenz, a real-life Dr Dolittle. Other treasures include Attenborough clapping eyes on a bird of paradise for the first time in 1957, and the grisly discovery that chimpanzees are not always the peaceable vegetarians of popular conception. AJC

Me And Mrs Jones9.30pm, BBC1

The bland but warm sitcom limps to the end of the series, with Gemma throwing a barbecue to try to get her berk of an ex-husband back together with his girlfriend. She's held hostage in domestic chaos and tortured by unfunny gags about not wiping down worktops but, more importantly, Gemma is facing a choice between the two men in her life: Tom's booking a mini-break in a yurt while toyboy Billy lurks in the background. With a trampoline set up next to the barbecue and a marriage proposal in the offing, what could possibly go wrong? HV

4Funnies: Dr Brown11.05pm, Channel 4

Replacing the Comedy Showcase strand is 4Funnies, which provides promising comic talents a space to showcase their work. First up is Phil Burgers – AKA Edinburgh comedy award-winner Dr Brown. His trade – classically trained clowning, coupled with some disarmingly well-acted vignettes – might sound a bit highbrow, but Burgers is funny. There's some genuinely brilliant invention here, notably his tragic surf dude and the holy man with a penchant for getting his cock out. BA

Super Spider8pm, Nat Geo Wild

Spiders get a pretty bad press, so this documentary is a nice rejoinder to the idea that they are nature's bad guys. In fact, not only are they wholly remarkable, they benefit ecosystems. Having been around for millions of years, there are over 40,000 recorded species and they have adapted to surviving in every environment, from the deepest caves to the highest mountains. There are spiders that fly, ones that jump 40 times their own height and others that live in water. And, before you flush Boris down the drain, find out why the scariest-looking spiders are often the least harmful. MS

The Joy Of The Single9pm, BBC4

Though the MP3 revolution has swept aside many bastions of the music business, the traditional building block of pop – the single – has, after a fashion, survived: downloaders, after all, buy or steal one song at a time. This absorbing, affectionate documentary chronicles the life story of the 7in black vinyl 45, at once utterly disposable and undefiably immortal. Among those sharing memories and insights are Suzi Quatro, Jack White, Paul Morley and Pete Waterman (who owns, by his estimation, 45,000 singles). AM

When Robbie Met James9pm, Sky1

In anticipation of his forthcoming shows at London's O2, comeback king Robbie Williams gives an interview to superfan James Corden. They go back a long way, so expect less of a harsh grilling and more the warmth and familiarity you get on the chat show circuit. The Robbie extravaganza also features an acoustic set and backstage footage as he warms up for the big gig (which will be shown live on Saturday), where he'll perform tracks from new album Take The Crown as well as the old crowd-pleasers. HV